2004 Senior Australian of the Year for Queensland

20 November 2003
JB012/03

2004 Senior Australian of the Year for Queensland

Ms Pearl Duncan was today named the 2004 Senior Australian of the Year for Queensland.

The Minister for Ageing, Julie Bishop, said Ms Duncan was nominated for her lifetime dedication to helping increase Aboriginal participation in education.

"The Senior Australian of the Year title is fitting recognition of the enormous contribution older Australians make to their community and our nation," Ms Bishop said.

"Ms Duncan's achievement in being selected is particularly significant, given the record number of nominations received from around Australia this year.

"I congratulate Ms Duncan for her contribution to indigenous education in Australia."

Ms Duncan began her teaching career in North Queensland and the Torres Strait, and in 1977 was appointed to the National Aboriginal Education Committee in recognition of her unique teaching experience and involvement with Aboriginal communities. Throughout her career, Ms Duncan has been committed to academic excellence, completing a Masters Degree in Education and now undertaking her doctoral thesis at the University of Queensland. Ms Duncan has also held a number of leadership positions in academic institutions.

Ms Duncan said she was at first surprised at being nominated as Senior Australian of the Year, but that this was followed by disbelief and then a warm inner-glow of satisfaction for what she's tried to achieve.

All state and territory finalists go through to the final judging for the 2004 Senior Australian of the Year award, to be announced on 25 January as part of Australia Day celebrations.

The 2003 Senior Australian of the Year, Bruce Campbell, said that being identified as a Senior Australian of the Year winner at state or territory level represented an extraordinary honour and an opportunity to provide a significant service to the community.

The Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing is proud to sponsor the Senior Australian of the Year Awards. More information on the Senior Australian of the Year Awards is available at http://www.australianoftheyear.gov.au

Media contact: Rachael Thompson 0417 265 289